TGC Newsletter: The Scary Issue

What I'm Reading

Navigating failure and setbacks is an emotionally challenging experience. When we’re in it, it may feel like we can’t get out. It can feel alarming, heartbreaking, demotivating, and more. But it’s one moment in time.

I recently failed a student of mine. I did a horrible job advising her and subsequently received a terrible review from the experience. First, I took time to vent and grieve from not meeting my expectations or hers. Second, I recognized where the mistakes were and reminded myself of the positive feedback I’ve received. Lastly, I took a big-picture approach to my professional journey of growth and improvement, and I am able to learn from my failures.

This article helped me get there; it’s from ProFellow, a database of fellowships for professionals in all stages of their career.

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What I'm Listening To

In honor of fear and scary stuff, spooky season, and failure, here’s a podcast about the Human Scream, by Stuff You Should Know.

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What I'm Doing

F*ckup Nights Boston VOL 1 is here! I couldn’t be more excited to share this event with you all. My co-lead, Sam Feldman of Impact Hub, and I are working to bring you an evening of laughter, libations, and lessons learned. Come, bring friends, and enjoy the evening!

Here’s what to expect: 3 fearless speakers sharing their biggest professional disasters. 10 slides. 7 minutes each. Zero sugarcoating. A room packed with brilliant, curious humans who know success is never a straight line. Drinks, community, and vibes that hit harder than your worst pitch meeting.

Details:

• Thursday, November 13, 2025

• Doors open at 6:30, speakers start at 7 pm

• Located at Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St, Somerville

• Link to RSVP: https://bit.ly/BostonFuN

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What's Moved Me

"The only way to develop true confidence is to earn it.

• The confidence that you can bounce back from failure is earned by working through previous failures.

• The confidence that you can deliver the speech is earned by the previous speeches you have given.

• The confidence that you can perform on game day is earned by the previous performances in practice.

In the beginning, you need enough courage to practice even though it may not go very well. And over time, as your skills improve, courage transforms into confidence. Courage first, confidence later."

-James Clear

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What I'm Wiggling To

Olivia Dean’s new album, The Art of Loving!! Olivia Dean has exploded around the world on the Billboard charts for two songs (Man I Need and Lady Lady) on this album, but I have to admit, my favorite is Something Inbetween. Check it out.

Stay Playful,

Tamar

TGC Newsletter: The Grief & F*ckup Issue

We’ve all messed up in small ways and big ways. We’re tried, failed, lost, redirected, tried again, sometimes with no success. 

I’ve got something exciting to announce. Keep reading.

What I'm Reading

I’m in the middle of reading what has become one of my favorite books, There Is Nothing So Whole As A Broken Heart, edited by Cindy Milstein. In a collection of essays and stories, it shares examples of the deep pain and grief of antisemitism. It also tells stories of community and connection, rejoicing and celebration. Our world is full of both, and it’s imperative that we hold on to both.

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What I'm Listening To

The beloved Aubrey Plaza was on Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Aubrey lost her husband eight months ago. Aubrey and Amy are good friends from the show, Parks & Recreation, and you can feel the lifelong friendship come through their laughter and comfort with each other. The friends jump right into what her grief feels like. It’s healing to listen to these two share their stories.

YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify

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What I'm Doing

I’ve shared articles from Fuckup Nights (FuN) before. They are a global organization hosting events in over 270 cities using failure as a tool for growth in individuals and organizations. I’m working with FuN to bring their events to Boston. As the Chapter Lead, I’ll be hosting four events throughout the year with 3-4 speakers each. They’ll be hosted in bars, community centers, and other venues across the Boston area. Speakers will share stories in their various industries.

Intrigued? Do you have a good failure story to share? Want to attend an event? Follow along on our Instagram.

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What's Moved Me

“Mistakes are the portals to discovery”

• James Joyce

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What I'm Wiggling To

This song is a vibe. Feels like dancing down the street, cleaning your kitchen, and living room wiggles. Listen to Sundown by LEISURE.

Stay Playful,

Tamar

TGC Newsletter: The Passion Issue

Real Talk: When students come into my office to discuss their passions, I’m unimpressed. To be honest, I don’t care as much about their passions. Enthusiasm for a task helps perseverance. When moments get hard, passion will push you forward. Passion doesn’t mean an individual creates high-quality work. You can be passionate about reading and be a bad writer. You can be passionate about movies and be a bad filmmaker. 

And yet, we need passion to access a state of flow and improve our craft.

What I'm Reading

I’ve finished reading Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses “No, But” Thinking and Collaboration – Lessons from The Second City. My favorite chapter was about failure and how important it is to normalize messing up, or f*cking up. Have you been in an environment that celebrated mistakes? Did you learn from the mistakes? Have you been in environments where people are shamed for their mistakes?

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What I'm Listening To

Even within our passions, we sometimes get bogged down by the logistical or business elements that detract from the joy. This is a common challenge for artists and one of the main reasons I chose my master’s degree, Business of Creative Enterprises. Que Hidden Brain’s, You 2.0: The Passion Pill. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea is that pursuing your passion will feel invigorating — almost magical. But passions can easily wane over time. In this podcast, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to keep our passions alive and how to channel old passions into new pursuits.

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What I'm Doing

We’re in the middle of the summer, and I’m trying to enjoy the outdoors before we hibernate in a few months. Big things are coming; stay tuned for the next issue of our newsletter.

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What's Moved Me

The end of StartingBloc. When I was in college, I created my own major, which I didn’t realize at the time was a lonely way to start my career. I didn’t have my professional community yet. A month after I graduated, I attended a StartingBloc Institute.

I landed my first job thanks to a resource someone provided me at the StartingBloc Institute. A person from that first job introduced me to my second. My world opened up to lifelong friendships and professional relationships that continue to be among the most important to me.

It gave me mentors, inspiration, roommates, and thought partners. I’ve celebrated weddings, crashed on couches, danced, and attended funerals of members from my dear StartingBloc community.

The time has come for the organization to close its doors. Unfortunate for the future, but created an incredible past.

The moral of the story here isn’t only gratitude for this institute, its staff, and the board, who have dedicated their time and energy for years, but also the importance of a professional community.

Find people who value the same things and work with them. Find the people who care and be on their team; lift them up and be their support system. Talk to them about your professional world, and be curious about what they’re excited about. Celebrate all their wins and stay with them when they fail. In an increasingly divided and lonely world, feed the relationships of people who get it and get you.

StartingBloc did that for me, and I hope you have yours.

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What I'm Wiggling To

I recently had the opportunity to see one of my favorite artists, Olivia Dean, in concert. Before she sang Lady Lady, she shared that the song is about the universe, god, higher powers, whatever you do or don’t believe in. It’s about embracing change, trusting the unknown, and navigating life.

Stay Playful,

Tamar